bUSINESS & FINANCE

Previously, I discussed how stress can launch a physical and mental attack on our work and life. Gradually, stress can affect our behaviors by causing unrecognizable, irrational, out-of-control versions of ourselves to emerge. This impedes our productivity.

Clinical psychologist Naomi Quenk calls this condition being "in the grip" of stress, and "grip" experiences can cause Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde-like transformations. The behaviors we exhibit are largely driven by our different personalities. Therefore, stress management techniques that take into account our unique personality preferences are helpful.

Personality And Mental Functioning

According to the Jungian model of personality and mental processing, we subconsciously differ in terms of how we each prefer to:

1. Gain mental energy

2. Gather information

3. Make decisions

Some gain their mental energy from inner ideas and experiences (introverts), while others gain it from external sources (extroverts). Being forced to experience your least preferred energy source can be a significant cause of mental fatigue and block your productivity.

Gathering Information In The Grip Of Stress

You gather information about what's going on around you largely through the mental functions of sensing (focusing on current realities through use of your five senses) or through intuition (focusing on the big picture). We all gather information using both methods. However, one is typically more dominant or preferred.

As long as you are devoting your energy to your dominant mental function, your inferior function is at rest. However, when circumstances such as illness, stress or fatigue set in, the least preferred mental function can come out of hibernation, forcing your mind to function in a way that is uncomfortable. Similar to being forced to write with your left hand when you are right-handed, being pushed to use your inferior mental function to gather information can place you in the grip of stress, slowing you down and decreasing the quality of your work.

Making Decisions In The Grip Of Stress

Decision-making is also a mental function, and you will typically make decisions through either thinking or feeling. If thinking is your preference, you may prefer to make decisions based on logical, focused, impartial, objective analyses of information. This would be your dominant mental function. Making decisions based on feelings would be your opposite (inferior) function and would typically receive the least amount of your energy. Again, we each make decisions using both methods. However, you are typically more comfortable using one over the other and may find yourself in the grip of stress when pushed to use your inferior decision-making function.

Personality-Based Stress Reduction Techniques

Before reading further, ask yourself:

1. Am I more mentally energized from within (introversion) or from the outside world (extroversion)?

2. When gathering information, do I feel more comfortable using sensing or intuition?

3. When making decisions, is thinking or feeling more natural for me?

Here are some stress reduction techniques specific to your preferred decision-making and information-gathering styles. Discover how your experiences of gathering information and making decisions in the grip can lead to personal growth.

When Gathering Information

Extroverted-sensing types can release the grip by:

• Having a backup plan

• Receiving help from others to remove doubt about dreaded consequences

• Receiving help with prioritizing

• Being heard without judgment

Gathering information in the grip can teach extroverted-sensors to:

• Reduce their fear of possibilities

• Embrace the unknown

• Tap into their intuition

Introverted-intuitive types can release the grip by:

• Seeking a change of scenery

• Taking quiet alone time to recharge

• Making their usual schedule lighter

• Not receiving advice or suggestions from others

Gathering information in the grip can teach introverted-intuitives to:

• Understand and accept people unlike them

• Better adapt to outside details

• Create more realistic goals

Introverted-sensing types can relieve stress by:

• Taking time alone to analyze or reflect

• Hitting the bottom to emerge renewed

• Being taken seriously without being patronized

• Receiving help with excessive details

Gathering information in the grip can teach introverted-sensors to:

• Have a broader perspective

• Have clearer values

• Be more flexible in relationships

Extroverted-intuitive types can relieve stress by:

• Taking time to analyze their grip experience

• Exercising, meditating or getting a massage

• Receiving support without being patronized or judged

Gathering information in the grip can teach extroverted-intuitives to:

• Have a broader perspective of expectations of self

• Appreciate facts and details

• Plan better and be more structured

• Identify and avoid grip-causing stress and fatigue

When Making Decisions

Extroverted-thinking types can ease stress by:

• Allowing themselves to experience their deep feelings

• Being allowed to vent

• Talking to a person they trust

Decision-making in the grip can teach extroverted-thinkers to:

• Know their limits

• Accept the irrational

• Understand the importance of close relationships

Introverted-feeling types can ease stress by:

• Allowing the experience to expire on its own

• Engaging in relaxing, distracting activities

• Receiving validation for their feelings

• Having time to reflect

• Being allowed to have their say until they are themselves again

Decision-making in the grip can teach introverted-feelers to:

• Accept their power needs

• Embrace their competencies

• Manage unrealistic ideals

Introverted-thinking types can ease stress by:

• Having their alone time and personal space (psychological and physical) respected by others

• Being excused from responsibilities

• Not being asked how they feel

Decision-making in the grip can teach introverted-thinkers to:

• Accept the illogical

• Embrace their vulnerability

• Express deep feelings

Extroverted-feeling types can ease stress by:

• Studying or journaling alone

• Starting a new project

• Being allowed to be left alone (to mentally work through things)

• Being taken seriously and allowed to vent

Decision-making in the grip can teach extroverted-feelers to:

• Decrease their need for harmony

• Trust their own logic

• Manage their response to adverse situations

Think of a grip experience you may have had recently. How will you better manage your stress to remain productive moving forward?

DISCLOSURE: THE CONTENT PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE, OR THERAPY. IF YOU ARE HAVING A MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, PLEASE SEEK APPROPRIATE HELP FROM AN APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL. IF YOU ARE HAVING A MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911, YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER, OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.